PSD NEWS RELEASE: 8 New Deputies Join State Sheriff Division Ranks

Two representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army also honored for participating in Sheriff Recruit Academy

HONOLULU – Public Safety Department officials, family members and friends today gathered in Waipio to witness the graduation of the Law Enforcement Recruit Class 15-01 for Deputy Sheriffs at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. Eight (8) new deputies were added to the Sheriff Division and will be assigned to positions across the state.

The new deputies were presented with graduation certificates, followed by the recitation of the Oath of Duty and the badge presentation. A family member was picked to pin the badge on the new deputy sheriff.

“These individuals took a solemn oath to serve and protect the people of Hawaii with professionalism, integrity and fairness,” said State Sheriff Renee Sonobe Hong. “Over the past six months they worked hard to develop the knowledge, tactical skills, and physical conditioning to prepare them to carry out law enforcement services statewide. I want to congratulate them for all their hard work and for a job well done.”

The recruits were trained in nearly 1,000 hours of academic instruction in laws and procedures, constant testing, training in physical fitness, and police tactics.

Student awards for Top Gun, Physical Fitness, Leadership and Academic Average were also handed out to the recruits who ranked at the top of their class in those areas.

The new deputies will be sent out to work in various positions on Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii. Six will be assigned to Oahu and two to Kona on Hawaii Island.

This class also included two law enforcement representatives from the United States Coast Guard and United States Army as part of an outreach program that maintains a partnership with military police based in Hawaii. Maritime Enforcement Specialist Bryan Kelly, stationed with the USCG Base Honolulu and Army Sergeant Alex Kehler, a military police officer with the 558th MP Company out of Schofield Barracks, were honored with a certificate of completion. They were both selected by their chain of command to attend the Sheriff Recruit Academy.

The Sheriff Division carries out law enforcement services statewide. Its mission is to promote public safety by: protecting all persons and property within premises under the control of the Judiciary and all state facilities; providing process services and execution of court documents; handling detained persons; and providing secure transportation for persons in custody. It also provides law enforcement services at the Honolulu International Airport.